Senior Communications Engineer

Astroscale UK is adding a Senior Communications Engineer to join our Avionics team, and work on our ground breaking missions.  

Day to day activities will include designing link budgets, antenna analysis, data to ground budgets and communication related Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) to name a few. There will also be involvement in validation and verification with the Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) team including generating communication unit test procedures. 

This role requires someone with the experience, knowledge, and confidence to manage the comms subsystem. We also need a great team player as there will be lots of interaction with other teams such as systems, Command & Data Handling (C&DH), procurement and AIV. 

Responsibilities  

The successful candidate will be get to be involved in:  

Work package management including: 

Design Baseline/ Architecture of sub system 

Requirements Management & VCD 

Input and review system satellite data link budgets 

Selection, procurement and supplier management of all communication units including (but not limited to) 

 TxRx units and Antenna 

GNSS Antenna 

Multipath analysis (including any impingement/interference issues) 

ITU regulations support 

Ground station selection and discussion support to ground team.  

Design and execution of unit level acceptance tests including: 

Hardware acceptance, basic functional, and performance testing 

Design and manufacture of supporting testbeds at unit level 

The creation and management of resources, schedules and cost estimates that meet applicable requirements, standards and regulations. 

Mentoring and guiding younger members of the communications team when needed 

Essential Skills 

Bachelor or master’s degree in a relevant subject (e.g. Electronics, communications). 

Strong experience in spacecraft communication requirement creation and management.  

Strong experience in creating and management of satellite link budgets.  

Modelling and simulating comms space-to-ground links  

Strong experience in design and development of spacecraft communication subsystems and their architectures.  

Experience in frequency licensing constraints (ITU) for old and new space applications. 

Be eligible and registered to work within the UK and Europe. 

Experience of communication circuits and hands on testing.  

Experience on communication verification and validation plans and procedures for satellite designs. 

Desirable skills 

Good knowledge of overall satellite systems design. 

Experience of antenna design and propagation. 

Detailed understanding of communications link budget analysis and design. 

Familiarity with ITU regulations and licensing processes. 

Benefits 

Competitive base salary 

Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology 

Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment  

Optional 9/75 working pattern 

Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements) 

25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday 

Life insurance and long-term sick pay 

Private healthcare (taxable benefit) 

Relocation allowance 

State of the art office and cleanroom facility 

Regular social events  

Location 

Astroscale UK (Harwell). 

About Astroscale 

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space.  

Since our first successful launch in March 2021, Astroscale has proven rendezvous and proximity operations technologies in orbit during the ELSA-d and ADRAS-J missions, establishing the company as a leader in on-orbit servicing. Astroscale spacecraft have been selected for pioneering missions with JAXA, the U.S. Space Force, the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat OneWeb. As more satellite operators adopt on-orbit servicing to routinely inspect, service and remove, the potential of a circular space economy — and a future of no waste in space — is being unlocked. 

At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astrsocale is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.  

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.